Free Francis Chan E-Books

Today only you can get free Kindle E-Editions of Francis Chan's books, Crazy Love, Forgotten God, and Erasing Hell.

 

What a great deal!!  I have wanted to read these books for some time, and am excited to have the chance now!

Remember, you can download Kindle for PC/Mac for free if you don't have a Kindle reader.

Recylebank

Have you joined Recyclebank?  It is an online community that promotes taking everyday green actions.  You are rewarded for "green" activities as well as for watching short video clips, taking short quizzes, and other small little tasks.

I have been a member for about a year, and have really enjoyed the benefits and rewards I've received.  I love the free magazines you can get for only 150 points!  I have gotten FREE one year subscriptions to Better Homes and Garden, Martha Stewart Living, Whole Living, and Good Housekeeping from Recyclebank.

You can also use your points to print coupons.  I love the $2 off one Kashi product coupon- I can get Kashi cereal for around $1 when combining the coupon with a sale.  You can have coupons mailed to you as well for restaurants, etc.

My area does not offer the points for recycling and yet I still am able to earn enough points to get plenty of free rewards!  I highly suggest you join if you are not a member!

Note: This post contains my referral code for Recyclebank.  

My Couponing System- At the Grocery Store

Yesterday I showed you my coupon binder where I organize my coupon inserts. 

Today I’ll show you what I take with me to the grocery stores and drugstores. 

After making my shopping list and matching my coupons to store’s deals using Southern Savers, I cut out the coupons I need and put them in my expandable coupon organizer.  I take only the coupons I need for that trip and any that I want to check on a price with. 

I added a couple of tabs for the stores I shop at the most.  I usually shop at multiple stores and that helps me keep my deal coupons for each store separate. 

I keep a small calculator in the very back pocket to use in figuring up the total cost of my items while at the store or the cost of an item with a doubled coupon, etc.

The most critical item I take with me to the grocery store is my list notebook.  I purchased this notebook at Ollie’s a year ago and got two in a pack for $5.  It is a hard folder that easily sits up in the grocery cart and helps me stay on track in the stores.     

In it I usually keep my store specific grocery list, my menu plan, and any Southern Savers matchup printables.

Because we have a very tight grocery budget for the month (currently $170 a month)  I have to know exactly how much I am going to spend before I even get into the store.  I use my price sheets that I have previously gathered to write down the price of each item .  While we were living on one salary, we needed to stay on a budget of about $150 a month to make sure we had enough money to cover all our expenses.  Now that we are on two incomes again, we have decided to only slightly raise our budget and continue putting our extra money towards our savings and paying off all debt.  (We’re on the Dave Ramsey plan!)

It is hard to do sometimes, but we usually get out with spending between $25-$50 a week.  To do that I am intentional in planning our menu and using coupons wisely as well as buying at the store with the rock bottom price. 

I have learned through out the past couple of years that couponing has a lot of benefits, but it can be dangerous.  When you’re on a budget, sometimes you just have to let some deals go.  I try to only purchase deals that I can use to make meals for the week or stockpile on personal care items (toothpaste, shampoo, etc)  I also am mindful of not purchasing so many processed foods, even if they are great deals. 

I hope you have enjoyed seeing how I coupon and grocery shop, and hope that it has given you some ideas for yourself.  I’d love for you to share a link in the comments if you have shown your own couponing system on your blog before or share any tips for saving money while grocery shopping!

My Couponing System- The Coupon Binder

I love to coupon, save money, and live frugally.  I started couponing when I was in college, and my system has evolved over the past few years.  I changed my system as my needs and our family’s needs changed.  I think that is important to remember when choosing an organization method for your coupons.  What works for you now, may not work two years from now.  Be willing to learn, change, and customize your system.

Here are the basic components of my coupon organization system:

• A coupon binder
• An expandable coupon organizer
• A Grocery List Folder

 

Let’s start with the…

I bought this binder at Wal-Mart several years ago for around $10.  It has served me well, and has lots of convenient storage areas.

One of my favorite features is the expandable file area on the front.

Here I keep my sales papers for the week for grocery stores and drug stores.  I also keep my Staples rewards under the “Misc.” tab.

Let’s take a look inside…

There are pockets for pens and markers, my store savings cards, and coupons that I cut but haven’t used yet.  I added a pencil pouch that holds a small notebook, post its, a calculator, and a small pair of scissors.

There are several sections to my coupon binder.

First, I keep a list of the coupon insert schedule handy in the very front.  I can easily look each week to see how many inserts will be in our Sunday paper, or if there are no inserts for the week. 

 

Second, I have baseball card protector sheets that hold loose coupons that come in the mail with free samples or on products I buy.  I know these coupons are not normally included in the coupon matchups I use online, so I can just flip through them individually to determine if there is a deal for the week with those coupons. 

Third, I have my weekly coupon inserts from the Sunday papers.  This is the largest section of my binder. 

I do not cut my coupons out of my inserts until I need them!  I plan my grocery trips around what is on sale, and use Southern Savers website to match my coupons with the items I will buy.  She tells you the date of the insert for each coupon matchup and by not cutting them out, I can easily just go through whichever insert I need.  I will also search the coupon database for any items I will be buying that are not part of the store’s weekly sales.

I put each week’s inserts into a separate sheet protector and add a post-it note with the date written on it.  These serve as tabs that I use to find the inserts I am looking for.

Fourth, I have a couple of sheet protectors that I cut and sewed back together to form pockets.  Here I keep coupon booklets that I receive in the mail (mostly P&G or store specific booklets).  I simply cut a slit in the top piece of the sheet protector half way down and then sewed a straight stich across to seal the top pocket on my sewing machine.

Fifth, I keep copies of different stores’ coupon policies.  These are handy to have when you are planning your trips and to take with you to the store in case there is ever any question from the cashier about your coupon usage.  Surprisingly, store clerks often do not know the store’s policies. 

Sixth, I have two pocket folders.  I purchased these from Staples for $1 each and in one I keep retail coupons and in the other I keep coupons I clip from magazines. 

And last but not least, I keep a copy of Coupon Mom’s Grocery Saving Strategies in the back for reference.

It’s a full load but it helps me keep everything in place and available when I need it.  I use this binder at HOME, not the store.  I have tried to take it to the store with me, but it is just too bulky and is not effective for me. 

I keep it in a pretty file box that I received as a wedding gift when I’m not using it. It normally stays in the office and I get it out when I plan my weekly shopping trips. 

Tomorrow I’ll share what the second part of my coupon organizing system- what I take to the store with me.

 

Do you coupon?  And if so, how do you keep all of those coupons organized?

Preparing for a Vegetable Garden

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This summer we want to plant our first vegetable garden!  A garden will supply us our own healthy, fresh, and organic vegetables, at what I think will be a fraction of the price.

 Because we are renting, we are considering container gardening- anyone have any experience with that?

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I was reading through my February issue of Martha Stewart Living and saw that she was beginning to prepare for her gardens this coming month.  According to Martha, February is the time to draft your planting plan for spring.  I'm guessing she knows what she is talking about, so I'm starting my planting plan now too!  

First up is a wish-list of veggies we would like to grow this year:

• Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Yellow Summer Squash
• Strawberries
• Bell Peppers
• Broccoli
• Onions
• Leafy greens
• Potatoes
• Green Onions

(We may not be able to do all of those- but it's a wishlist)

We also want to start an indoor container garden for herbs including:

• Basil
• Rosemary
• Cilantro
• Parsly

I would love to do our herb garden in something like this, but I'm concerned about there being no drainage.  

I'll probably do something more along these lines:

Do you have any gardening advice for a newbie?

Setting New Year’s Goals

This past week I have been focusing on planning out and setting personal goals for myself for 2012.  I did this for 2011 and felt that it helped me stay on track very well. 

This year I am doing things a little bit different and being much more detailed and intentional.  I have six main priorities, and I am breaking down those priorities into focus areas for the year.  My monthly goals will be based around those focus areas.   It is taking a lot of time, but I really believe that it will be worth it in the end.  I’m a list kind of girl and love checking things off, so making written goals really helps me stay motivated!

I have been inspired by Crystal from Money Saving Mom- she has provided a guide for setting up your priorities and goals and lots of free printables!  I highly recommend checking out her blog if you aren’t already a reader!

My priority areas for the year are:

1. My personal relationship with God

2. My marriage

3. Our Finances

4. Ministry through Element Church

5. Keeping a (mostly) clean and organized house

6. Health and Fitness

And here are my focus areas for each priority:

1. My personal relationship with God

• Spend intentional time daily in the Word and in prayer
• Read books that encourage my spiritual walk
• Share my faith with others

2. My marriage

• Pray together daily
• Read Scripture together daily
• Commit to open communication
• Spend intentional “technology free days” with Jeremy
• Read books that encourage my marriage

3. Our Finances

• Written budget monthly
• Weekly check up on our finances and balancing our checking account
• Envelope System
• Pay off all credit card debt
• Fully fund emergency fund
• Begin more fully utilizing Mint.com, Upromise, and other online tools

4. Ministry through Element Church

• Support Jeremy as he leads the student ministry
• Intentional relationship building with youth girls
• Implement Element Women’s Ministry

5. Keeping a (mostly) clean and organized house

• Quick 5 minute pick up every morning before work
• Wash dishes before going to bed
• Daily chore tasks
• Strategic placement of furniture, etc. to create a an “easy to stay clean” atmosphere
• Read books that inspire creative homemaking

6. Health and Fitness

• Exercise 5 times per week
• Drink 8 glasses of water daily
• Portion control
• Eat more natural and real foods

 

 

I’m currently putting together my monthly goal sheets so I’ll hopefully be able to share those with you tomorrow!  What are your new year’s goals?

Free Redbox Code

Need a cheap date night?  Redbox has a code out for this weekend for $1 off any rental.  (If you just get the regular DVDs and not the Blue Ray, that means it's free!)  It is valid anytime Friday through Sunday at midnight.

They have sent out coupon codes the last 3 or 4 weekends through their e-mail!  If you're not already on their mailing list, you may want to sign up! (You get a free code for signing up as well)

The Code is: 773725K

Here are some additional codes that are always valid if you have not already used them (valid once per debit/credit card)

DVDONME
DVDKROG   (valid only at Kroger locations)
BREAKROOM
DVDATWAG (valid only at Walgreen locations)

$12.99 Oil Change Coupon

I found a great coupon on Southern Savers today for $12.99 ($9.99 plus $3 disposal fee) oil change at Tire Kingdom.  If you have one near you, you may want to print one out for yourself!  Jeremy and I are going to use ours tomorrow to get the oil changed in his car before we head to Savannah, GA for our honeymoon :)


Click below to get your coupon. 

 http://www.tirekingdom.com/Discounts-Coupons-Detail/12



The oil change includes:
Up to 6 quarts of conventional oil
Change Filter
4 Tire Rotation
22 Point Inspection

Pottery Barn Looks for Less

 

 

I love Pottery Barn.  I don’t know if there is one thing in their store or catalog that I wouldn’t want in my house.  It’s all so beautiful!  But let’s be honest, ITS EXPENSIVE!  As newlyweds we just can’t afford the prices but I still want for our home to have that Pottery Barn “look”.

I think the key to finding that look for less is first of all knowing the look.  I love looking through Pottery Barn magazines, and I rarely throw them away when I get them.  The styling in their rooms is amazing, and interestingly enough, most of the time the things I love the most in the rooms aren’t even things that they sell- just what they’ve styled with!  Because I know what I love, I know when I see it for less!

I had been eyeing this tiered stand at Pottery Barn for months. 

It is perfect for filling with fruit, cupcakes, plants, you name it.  I wanted it. Bad.  But, it cost $69!  So imagine my delight when I spotted this little beauty during my shopping trip to Homegoods yesterday.

For $14.99, I got the look for much less!

 

I love the wire baskets that Pottery Barn has right now.  They cost $39 each.

While I was at an antique store last week I saw these metal baskets.  I purchased 3 of them for a total of $4. 

 

I also found some other great Pottery Barn look-a-likes at Homegoods that I didn’t purchase. 

Pottery Barn sells these lampshades for $69 each.  (They are on sale right now for $39 though)

  

I saw these lampshades that INCLUDED the lamp for $39 at Homegoods.  (click on photo for source)

Homegoods also had tons of lamps with burlap shades for $29.  Pottery Barn’s burlap shades are $39- $69 each.

You can also make Pottery Barn knock offs yourself!  For example, I’ve always loved the nest pillow from Pottery Barn.

I could easily recreate that look using the Citrasolv Transfer!

You can even make furniture that looks like Pottery Barn!  Ana White’s blog is full of easy do it yourself plans for building furniture, including lots of plans that are Pottery Barn knock offs. 

Remember when I told you I fell in love with this bed?  It is the Farmhouse bed from Pottery Barn.  It cost $1,199 for a queen size bed. 

Ana White has a knock-off plan for this bed.

My grandparents are actually having someone build the headboard for Jeremy and I right now.  And it only cost around $125 for the building materials!  We will stain our headboard an espresso color and we will be getting the same look for about $1,000 less! 

 

There are many ways to get the Pottery Barn look for less, you just have to get creative and be on the lookout.  Know what you love, and think outside the box to find what you love for a much more reasonable price. 

Honeymoon Jar

About two years ago I started a honeymoon jar.  It was just a change jar that I planned to use for honeymoon expenses.  A couple of girls in my dorm were engaged and had started a jar, so I figured I could start before I got engaged and would have even more saved up by my honeymoon. :)   I decided to dump it all out and count it today.  I had filled up 1 and 1/2 mason jars in two years, pretty good for someone who doesn’t hardly use cash! 

I dumped it all out on the floor and separated it before counting to make it a little easier. 

I counted it up and bagged it with the totals on it so I can roll them and take them to the bank.  Can you take change that isn’t rolled to the bank?  I would much prefer to not have to do that step. 

Wanna guess the total?……..

………..

………..

……….

$82.24! 

That will make for a few good meals in Savannah come June :) 

If you’re engaged I suggest doing this, you’ll never miss the change, and it feels nice to have a few extra dollars for the honeymoon.  Even if already married this is great to do to save for vacations or a special date night.  My dad always did this each year for our beach trip in the summer and it was always fun to count the money before we went to see how much we had and then use for eating money.  What could you save up for?

$1 Family Fun Magazine Subscription

I've got an awesome deal to share with you that I found on Free Sample Freak.  You can get a one year subscription to Family Fun Magazine for only $1! This offer ends today so grab it while you can! Here's how:


Sign up for mamapedia.  (It's free to join and its a coupon site like Groupon and you get a $5 credit for signing up) 
Buy $5 subscription to Family Fun
Enter code FATWALLET4 at checkout for $4 off

I am going to give my subscription as a gift, they have a place to enter a separate shipping address so this is a great last minute gift idea!

I've had a subscription to Family Fun for the last two years and love it!  It is full of great ideas and crafts to do with kids.  I use it as a resource for church crafts and activities!

*this offer is only valid to new members of mamapedia

Hallmark Freebies

I received a free magazine in the mail the other day that I signed up for on Free Sample Freak. Inside was a little treasure- a coupon for $5 off any purchase of $5 or more at Hallmark!  You know what that means- freebies! 

I was able to get 5 cards with my $5 coupon.  I just love Hallmark cards-they are so pretty!

Homemade Croutons

I just love croutons in my salads, don't you?  I think they are the best part of a salad :)  Today I wanted to share a simple recipe for homemade croutons.  This will save you money from buying pre-packaged croutons and I think they taste better!

Homemade Croutons
You will need:
Bread (Loaf bread, Italian bread, etc.  Any bread should work)
Olive Oil
Mrs. Dash Table Seasoning

I found a great buy on some artisan garlic bread at Kroger on my last shopping trip.  It was originally $3.29 and I got it on manager's special for .89! I am making spaghetti this week so we will have garlic bread with that, but I had plenty and decided to make some croutons. 


1. First, preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Cut bread into cubes.  I would suggest using a serrated knife- it works better cutting bread.  Trust me, I tried the other first :) You can cut these however you like best, big or small.

3. Place bread cubes onto a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. 

4. Sprinkle with Mrs. Dash Table Seasoning

5. Bake for 10 minutes and then flip

6. Bake an additional 10 minutes- watch them closely so they don't burn!

7. Let cool and then serve or store!

Cheap Treasures

I was browsing Craigslist the other day and stumbled upon an antique sled for sale for $15!  I love pretty much all things antique but I have always wanted one of these sleds to decorate with for Christmas. 

My mom uses my dad's sled from when he was little to decorate outside our garage.  She puts a Christmas swag on it with a ribbon and I have always thought it just looked so good and festive!

So when I saw this one, I just had to have it.  $15 is a pretty good deal I thought!

So now we have an antique sled that I will decorate with next Christmas wherever Jeremy and I may be living.  :)

I'm thinking something like this....

or this...

 
or this...





Oh course, mine is rusty and not red anymore but I like that better because I don't like red.  :)

While I was out in Madison Heights picking up the sled (about a 15 min drive from Lynchburg) I decided to check out their Goodwill.  The Goodwill is really big there, it use to be a RiteAid or something.  I found the book "Lies Women Believe" for .75!  I have wanted this book for a while but it is always like $10-15, so I just never have bought it.  I love Goodwill and their books!